William Heaphy, Golden Gloves BC gave an exhibition of boxing to win the 80kg U17 national title

William Heaphy, Golden Gloves Boxing Club gave an exhibition of boxing showing his class and craft at the National Stadium last Friday night to win the 80kg U17 national title.

This was Heaphy’s second All-Ireland title in three months, having already bagged the senior cadet crown. 

His opponent last weekend James McDonagh had a great pedigree of success, however, Heaphy quickly gave an exhibition of rapid punching power, and the contest was stopped in the second round. 

This was another great success for the Golden Gloves Boxing Club, and a great achievement for John Morrissey and the coaching team.

This splendid victory brings the curtain down on a long season for Cork clubs. 

The Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Fergal Dennehy has congratulated all Cork Boxers on what he termed a truly remarkable record-breaking year for the sport. 

"I knew Cork were improving their title total all the time in recent years, but to win in excess of 50 All-Ireland championships in the same year, across all grades is staggering," Dennehy said.

The Lord Mayor also paid tribute to the great unseen work done by the coaches in all the club's.

"Equally, I wish to congratulate the Cork County Boxing Board for the manner in which they administrate the affairs of Cork Boxing. They are constantly setting standards and this is reflected through the efficiency and dedication of the officers."

Elsewhere, at the recent World Boxing Championship's held in Liverpool, 66 countries competed. 

Ireland finished in seventh place, an outstanding result. 

Britain finished in ninth spot, while America took 15th place. 

The gold medal for Ireland was a great lift to all involved in the sport, and our new golden girl is Aoife O'Rourke from Roscommon.

The Rossies boxer set a great example for all.

The late Tony Flannagan, a founder member of the Cork Ex-Boxer's Association, would have been a very proud man following Aoife's gold medal result. 

Tony was a staunch Roscommon man and was an all-army All-Ireland champion. 

He also coached at Sunnyside BC, and the Defence forces Boxing teams. 

He was a great follower of this page on a weekly basis, and to Tony's wife Anne Flannagan, we extend to her our best wishes and hope she continues to enjoy reading our Leeside boxing news.

Down Memory Lane.....

There were big celebrations in Rylane 40 years ago this week as the local Rylane Boxing Club were celebrating the club's first national success in adult boxing.

Jerry Sheehan was the trailblazer who made Rylane boxing history by winning the All-Ireland junior light middleweight title during the 1984/85 season. 

Jerry was trained by Dan Lane. 

As part of his training, Lane had him sparing in both the Glen and Sunnyside clubs. 

As part of Sheehan’s preparation for the final on the big night at the National Stadium, Dan Lane had Kieran Joyce travel to Rylane where he engaged with Sheehan in some very heavy sparing sessions.

From the first bell in the final Sheehan got out of the blocks fast and took the fight to his opponent, however, he was a doughty fighter, and at the end of the second round it was all square. 

Before the third and final round Lane gave these instructions to his fighter.

"You took the hardest punches Kieran Joyce could throw, now go out and finish this off fast."

This propelled Sheehan on to a different level, and he went to have his hand raised in victory. 

Jerry was presented with a magnificent silver hall marked cup - not like the disgraceful plastic pound shop cups they are handing out today.

The news of Sheehan's success spread far and wide and arrangements were made for the homecoming. 

As a cavalcade of cars made their way into Rylane, bonfires and tar barrel's blazed along the roads to rousing cheers and great acclaim.

Sheehan alighted from one of the cars and proudly hoisted the cup in the air amidst great excitement. 

It was ordained by the elders that Jerry with the cup would lead the victory parade accompanied by two pipers from the Millstreet Pipe Band, from the village up to the community centre. 

As the parade moved forward many carried burning torches this was one of the great sporting nights in the history of Rylane.

On entering the hall Jerry taught the roof was going to lift such was the cheer. 

It truly was an almighty sound, as the locals expressed their pride and delight that an All-Ireland boxing champion was in their midst. 

Then the house was brought to order by Mick Cronin, who with the parish priest and Dan Lane who were the club's founder members which was established in 1979.

Amongst the attendance was Glen coach and president of the Cork County Boxing Board John Martin. 

John congratulated Sheehan on his success.

"Remember boxing is a 32 county sport and when you enter a championship you must be prepared to take on and beat everyone in the country, that’s why you are the champion of Ireland tonight," Martin said.

Sheehan was delighted with this acclamation.

Dan Lane then spoke and thanked John Martin and Albie Murphy for all the help and advice they gave to the progressive club. 

Another great boxing man to assist Rylane in their early days was the late Brian Joyce, father of Kieran, Gordon, and Barry. 

Recently, in another context, former president of the Cork Boxing Board Dan Lane was loud in his praise of Brian Joyce.

"He was a true friend to Cork boxing especially when the need was greatest, and he made many contributions to the board to help to defray expenses when organising trips away for the young boxers."

The Minister for Sport Donal Creed was also present to congratulate Jerry. 

It was time then for the Rylane national anthem and a volunteer appeared and sang with great gusto.

All then joined in harmony and song, as they regaled the great deeds of 'The Bould Thady Quill. 

The hall was now packed, and hundreds enjoyed a great night of song and dance, as they celebrated 40 years ago, the history making All-Ireland boxing glory of the legendary Jerry Sheehan.